In the wake of a series of theft across the country, Catholic Church has become latest victim to the goons who broke into St Simon and Jude (Chileka) Outchurch, of the Parish of Lunzu in the Archdiocese of Blantyre and went away with a ciborium full of blessed Eucharist (Ukalisitia).

The incident, according to Reverend Father Alfred Chaima, Pastoral Secretary for Archdiocese of Blantyre, happened between 1st and 5th January (Last week) with the unknown assailants currently at large.

In a media statement issued on Wednesday, Father Chaima lamented of the continued assailants’ attack on the church with the police currently hunting for the ruffians.

“His Lordship Bishop Stima wishes to communicate to you all of the unfortunate incident that has happened. As every Catholic will know, this is a very serious and unfortunate incident that goes beyond ordinary burglary or theft. The intentions of whoever has done this heartbreaking act is not known and until now it has not been established where the Blessed Sacrament has been taken to,” explained Father Chaima.

Fr Chaima: As every Catholic will know, this is a very serious and unfortunateincident that goes beyond ordinary burglary or theft.

He then disclosed that Archdiocese jointly with Lunzu Parish and the community of the ‘Lay faithful’ of Chileka Outchurch were organising a Vigil Mass followed by hours of Adoration on Saturday January 11th, and a Solemn Mass on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday January 12th at 7 30am led by His Lordship Bishop Stima.

He has since urged priests, religious men and women and members of the Lay Faithful to enter into serious prayer and intense pious religious acts including fasting asking for revelation of the truth of the matter.

Father Chaima added: “And asking God to lead our communities to repentance that will lead us to respect Him and retain the sense of the Sacred. As can be seen with this incident, humanity is going too far”.

“Let us all show our unity even when others would want to shake us by attacking that which is at the core of our faith. The Holy Eucharist should never be subject to any rebuke in the life of the Church in this manner”.